"I am because they were..."

I am because of families who crossed the Atlantic from Finland and Ireland

I am because my great grandparents traveled in a wagon train from Kentucky to Washington and the child born along the way survived.

I am because my mom's IUD failed

I am because I am a survivor

I am because I left abusive men and said, “Never again.”

I am because I started to write my own script for my life

I am because of the love I give to and receive from my children

I am because of life’s yearning for more

—Lyn Salazar (she/her)